Thunderstorm comes from rain-bearing clouds that also produce lightning and therefore are dangerous and extremely destructive.
Lightning is an occupational hazard that’s often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be because it can severely injure or even kills workers, particularly if they are working at height. A company without clear lightning safety tips or plan risks not only the lives of their crew but also substantial financial losses.
According to a local report, a worker saw severe weather approaching and decided to head down from the rooftop, where he had been working. Unfortunately, lightning struck as he was climbing down. While concentrating on the job at hand, it's tempting to shrug off approaching severe weather and remain at the site for few extra minutes. But the result, as this event demonstrates, could be deadly.
Here are some lightning safety tips on how you can protect your workers and maintain lightning safety outdoors.
- Be prepared to stop working or take the work to a lower level. Actually, the weather plays a crucial role in deciding what tasks can or can’t be done on certain days. Awareness of changing weather conditions is the first line of defense. Weather reports can easily be checked via mobile apps, internet, weather radio stations, etc. Hold a supervisor responsible for watching the weather report, continuously if the job so demands.
If the storm is on its way, stop all work and move to a safe indoor area, typically a permanent, enclosed building with four walls and a roof. The next safest place would be a metal vehicle with rolled up windows.
- Stay away from conductive materials including fences, machinery, and electrical equipment. Avoid solitary trees, open fields, water bodies, and corded telephones.
- Create a safety policy. Add a section on lightning safety to your company’s safety manual. Make sure all employees review the policy and insist they promptly follow the instructions recommended when a thunderstorm approaches the job site.
- Resume operations at least 30 minutes after hearing the last sound of thunder. Of course with Lightning Eliminators & Consultant Inc’s lightning protection system in place, you need not to worry about the damage to any equipment; still, it is recommended to do a thorough pre-use inspection of the equipment again to check for damage.
For more lightning safety tips for your facility, contact us.